Webmaster note: Looking for more information Shiawassee County military participation.
by Kelly Peters....Argus Press - Nov. 2001
Retired Sergeant First Class Terry Carriveau
Panama
and Grenada veteran
Terry Carriveau enlisted into the U.S. Army, the 82nd Airborne Division as an infantry airborne ranger. He was 17 years old. He then served as a drill sergeant at Fort Benning, Ga. then as an Army recruiter in East Lansing. He was stationed at several bases-Fort Bragg, N.C. for five years; Fort Benning for five years; Fort Knox, Ky. for one year; Fort Jackson, S.C. for six months and in East Lansing for 3 1/2 years. Carriveau led a platoon as sergeant and squad leader.
He said his most frightful experiences were jumping out of a plane at night with people wanting to kill him.
Ive seen human nature at its worst and Ive seen human nature at its greatest, he said. When youve been out of the United States, you see what is meant by Third World and you can not wait until youre back in the states.
The war taught me discipline, to have pride in my country, love for my country and a better understanding of what freedom means. War made me more appreciative of all the freedoms that we as Americans are blessed with.
I joined the U.S. Army because I felt it was my duty as an American to serve as others before me had and others will after me. During my 15 years of service, I came to the realization that the only heroes are the ones who paid the ultimate sacrifice for our country, he said. Its sad to see that it takes a tragedy like the World Trade Center bombing for a good percentage of Americans to wake up and appreciate the freedoms that we are blessed with. Time will tell if, 10 years from now, the military has to struggle for volunteers once there is no more immediate threat.